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SLOW DOWN by Koppatone Review
Reviewed by Steven Azami
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Overall Impression
Hip hop and r&b artist KoppaTone blends futuristic electronic elements with pop-infused soul, on his release of “Slow Down.” Bubbling synths and chopped beats play underneath pitched vocals in an innovative arrangement and song structure, highlighted by an infectious hook and an interesting bridge. KoppaTone’s introspective lyrics implore listeners to take a timeout from their hectic schedules to appreciate life, and to live with intention and heightened awareness. Forward-thinking r&b fans will enjoy the unique sound, captivating melodic sensibilities and progressive themes of “Slow Down”, by the one and only KoppaTone.
Strongest Point(s)
Outstanding production, great sounding mix. Fantastic intro, really draws the listener’s ear. Brilliant beat design, nice variations. Wonderful selection of drum and synth sounds, interesting sonic palette. Clever structure, love the bridge/solo section with the shoegaze electric guitar, adds an unexpected rock element. Strong vocal performance and production, creative use of pitch shifters and autotune. The chopped backing vox add an awesome rhythmic texture. Terrific use of metaphor in the lyrics, great concept. Hopefully this song is able to impart some wisdom, particularly on younger listeners. Overall, this is a stellar r&b track with an enlightened message and an innovative sound. Amazing job, from start to finish!
Target Audience Appeal
Fans of RnB, Alternative RnB, Contemporary RnB, Left-Field Rap
Artist target suggestions
Kevin Abstract, Frank Ocean, Drake, Miguel, The Weeknd, 6LACK, Bryson Tiller, Gallant, Khalid, Roy Woods, Kid Cudi, Aesop Rock, The-Dream, PartyNextDoor, Tyler, The Creator
About The Reviewer
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers.
FLASHY DRIP by Koppatone Review
Reviewed by Steven Azami
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Overall Impression: KoppaTone serves up a stylish bit of progressive r&b with “Flashy Drip.” This track features clever melodic verses delivered over thick bass lines and chic old school beats. By combining slick, modern vocal production with retro-inspired synths and drum machines, KoppaTone manages to create a uniquely compelling sound on “Flashy Drip”, making it an easy recommendation for r&b fans across the board.
Strongest Point(s): Excellent production, decent mix. Nice choices of synths and drums, has that throwback sound that’s super popular at the moment. Outstanding vocal arrangements, good use of the hook, nice vocal variety in general. Great groove, bass and drums work extremely well together. Love the ‘fashion’ theme, and all the many references. Shows solid knowledge and adds a real sense of authenticity and earnestness to the writing. Should resonate strongly within the fashion community. Great song overall, terrific songwriting and arranging!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of RnB, Alternative RnB, Contemporary RnB, Progressive RnB.
Artist target suggestions: Usher, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, The-Dream, T-Pain, Miguel, D’Angelo, Raphael Saadiq, Wyclef Jean, Bilal, Babyface, Flo Rida, Akon, Drake.
About The Reviewer: Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre, from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers
RUN ME MY MONEY by Koppatone Review
Reviewed by Kristina Mondo
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Overall Impression: With influences like Prince, Ice Cube, and Depeche Mode, “Run Me My Money”, is artist Koppatone’s latest single; a mash-up of rap, R&B, hip-hop, and EDM. A high-energy, futuristic, and synthesized tune; the song is modern music with an old-school vibe and influence. It’s a total club/dance track filled with energy and swagger reminiscent of 80 and 90’s jams thumping, and pumped dance beats hook you from start to finish.
Strongest Point(s): The song’s most vital asset is its melody and rhythm; it’s simple and fun music with a synthesized 80’s sound. The tribal, almost jungle-themed, synthesized sound, includes fast-paced drums and cymbals, combined with Koppatone’s synthesized vocals and harmonies. Koppatone’s vocals are smooth and his raps are tight, creating an easy flow to the song. The lyrics exemplify the relationship between give and take, where someone is taking advantage of another by abusing his generosity and that frustration and anger are portrayed in the song. The lyrics are relatable Many can empathize and relate to the struggle of getting back money that’s owed to them; and the tension and problems in relationships it creates. Singing, ” you greepin on that leisure but you not payin’ bills, you don’t invest in future, you just here chasin’ thrills, you givin’ more excuses than I have ever heard, there really ain’t no trustin’ til you pay this n***a something”. These lyrics are the perfect representation of the term “writing checks your body can’t cash”, he can’t man up and meet his responsibilities, and the relationship between the two is now fractured. The catchy and easy sing-along with lyrics are exemplified in the chorus and lyrics as he sings, “Run me my money you know it ain’t funny now homie, run me my money run me my money, you know that you owe me so homie, run me that money”.
Target Audience Appeal: For fans of R&B, hip-hop, dance, electronic, club, and 80’s music; his modern composition and writing style are multi-layered, catchy, and include some great hooks. Fans of this music will enjoy this modern mash-up that Koppatone has created.
Artist target suggestions: Timbaland, Taio Cruz, Common, Wyclef Jean, Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Kid Cudi, Big Boi, Lupe Fiasco, Drake, Tyga, 2Pac, Snoop Dog, Jason Derulo, One Direction, ZAYN, Michael Jackson, George Michael, Aaliyah, The Weeknd, Mya, Akon, Fergie, Young Franco, Redman, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Shaggy, and Coolio.
About the Reviewer:
Kristina Mondo is a freelance writer specializing in music journalism. From working as a columnist at various publications to managing PR and press campaigns for a camp music festival, and touring with various artists Kristina is a music lover appreciating all types of music and what they have to offer from Opera to rap, there is always something to appreciate in every song. Interviews, however, are her passion, because it’s not just about what the artist lets you see but what you can draw from them getting to the heart of who they really are.
VELVET CAKE by Koppatone Review
Reviewed by Andre Avanessian
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Overall Impression:
There’s an interesting concoction of styles on offer in “Velvet Cake”, with its retro and contemporary sounding R&B and Hip-Hop elements, listeners are treated to an intriguing blend of musical ideas that feel both stylistically diverse and inspired in their creativity. KoppaTone cleverly draws inspiration from both old-school and modern R&B and Hip-Hop styles, helping to inject his music with a definite feeling of personality that relishes its 80’s and 90’s vibes whilst managing to effectively utilize the more modern sensibilities that the genre has recently adopted.
Strongest Point(s):
The use of samples at both the beginning and end of the track is a great addition, not only does this add that extra dose of creativity into the arrangement, but also ties in well with the general theme that the lyrics adopt. Speaking of lyrics, they are well crafted and have been phrased in such a way that adds a nice sense of rhythmic bounce to the track, it also helps that there’s a certain cheeky quality to them that adds to the track’s strong sense of character. With regard to the general songwriting, there’s clearly a strong emphasis on melody that helps give the song its many memorable hooks, not only are these both extremely catchy and melodically interesting but the way they’ve been arranged allows the track to flow very well. The hip-hop-based interlude that begins at 2:59 is a brilliant way to create even more variety in the arrangement and contrasts well with the track’s predominately R&B-based style, those turntable scratches for example serve as a nice throwback to the classic hip-hop days and help to reinforce the idea that this a track that confidently draws from the hip-hop and R&B genres long and rich history.
Target Audience Appeal:
This will undoubtedly appeal to R&B lovers and I can certainly see fans of the style greatly connecting with the track.
Artist target suggestions:
With regards to which artists this most closely relates to in terms of sound and feel, I have named a few below that I think help represent that transition between 90’s style R&B and the more modern iterations of the genre. This is just a rough guideline as “Velvet Cake” manages to sound both retro in some respects as well as modern. I hope this is of some help.
Will Smith, LL Cool J, Diddy, AKON, Montell Jordan, Usher, Chris Brown, Mario, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Jagged Edge, Tyrese, Donell Jones
About The Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed “Guitar Nerd” Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.
O.Y.D.R. (Oh You Damn Right) by Koppatone Review
Reviewed by Steven Azami
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Overall Impression: Songwriter/producer KoppaTone delivers a hook-laden, anthemic club banger with his release of “O.Y.D.R. (Oh You Damn Right).” This high energy track features a thumping house groove with growling bass, punctuated by staccato driving synths and heavily processed vocals that encourage the listener to really let loose. A skillfully rapped bridge adds another incredibly engaging element to the mix. Vivacious production and a feel-good, celebratory theme make KoppaTone’s “O.Y.D.R. (Oh You Damn Right)” an easy recommendation for EDM and dance-pop fans, particularly those looking to revel in the wake of the recent pandemic.
Strongest Point(s): Excellent production, solid mix for a home job. Tremendous energy from start to finish. Great builds and drops. Nice variations in the arrangement, particularly with the rap verse, should do well to hold the listeners’ attention. Good synth choices and sound design, nice mix of retro and modern. All of the vocals fully contribute to the themes of jubilation and exaltation. Plenty of great hooks in there too, thoughtfully arranged. Again, nice variations and diversity with all of the various vocal top lines. You definitely accomplished your mission of creating a party anthem, terrific track all around!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of EDM, Dance-Pop, House, Tech House, Vocal House, Future House, Hi-NRG
Artist target suggestions: Don Diablo, Calvin Harris, Avicil, Steve Aoki, Tiesto, Kygo, Dmitri Vegas & Like Mike, Quintino, C+C Music Factory, Technotronic, Deee-Lite
About The Reviewer: Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre, from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers.